December 2, 2025 — Just before Thanksgiving, members of the Frenchtown Rural Fire District completed their final live-fire training of the season, putting firefighters through one of the most demanding and realistic training scenarios of the year.

Using a custom-built burn building constructed from modified shipping containers, crews trained inside a structure designed to replicate the interior of a home while withstanding repeated fire ignitions and extinguishments. In the featured scenario, one crew advanced approximately 50 feet into the structure, navigating through furniture and obstacles to extinguish a live fire made from pallets and scrap lumber. At the same time, a second crew conducted search and rescue operations, locating and removing victim manikins under limited-visibility conditions created by additional smoke.

Officials emphasized that live-fire training remains critical for both recruits and seasoned firefighters, allowing them to sharpen hose management, crew cohesion, communication, fire control, and search techniques in a controlled yet hostile environment.

The department also expressed deep gratitude to the volunteers, residents, and paid staff who have dedicated countless hours to building, maintaining, and continuously improving the burn building over the years. Their long-term investment, officials said, plays a vital role in firefighter readiness and the continued safety of the community.